Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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15. To ask the Minister for Defence if he will provide a report on the most recent meeting of the European Foreign Affairs Council of defence ministers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52907/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I attended the Foreign Affairs Council in Defence Ministers format on the 18th and 19th November in Brussels. The meeting was chaired by the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Baroness Catherine Ashton. NATO Secretary General Mr. Anders Fogh Rasmussen joined the meeting for some working sessions. On Monday evening, during the first working session, Defence and Foreign Ministers discussed the High Representative's Report on Common Security and Defence Policy and had an exchange of views. The focus was on agreeing Council Conclusions, which will feed into conclusions on Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) which will be considered by Heads of State and Government at the European Council meeting on 19th and 20th December.

There was general support for the HR's Report and the associated Council Conclusions, in particular, the emphasis that was placed on a strong and effective Common Security and Defence Policy for the Union. Ministers agreed that CSDP needs to be reinvigorated and that it is timely for the European Council to engage on CSDP and provide political direction. On Tuesday morning, Defence Ministers continued their discussion on the upcoming European Council on Defence, in particular, capability development and the defence industry aspects of the Council Conclusions. Ministers discussed the growing importance of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and in this regard, stressed the need for a level playing field to avoid market distortions combined with security of supply. Other issues discussed included research and innovation, specifically dual use technologies. There was also broad agreement on the need for increased flexibility, including the modular approach, on the use of EU Battlegroups (EUBGs). The need for cooperation and non-duplication with NATO, in the area of capability development, was underlined by HR Ashton, SG Rasmussen and by several Member States.

In my intervention I welcomed the intention to have security and defence on European Council agenda regularly. I outlined four issues, which I believe warrant more detailed discussion and endorsement at the European Council meeting. These include, the use of EU Battlegroups, the reinvigoration of CSDP, the need for the European Council to fully support the ongoing development and maintenance of capabilities, both civil and military, and the need for an efficient and effective defence industry where SMEs can play a full role and which can deliver capabilities, jobs, growth and innovation.

Two military operations currently being conducted by the European Union under the Common Security and Defence Policy were also discussed. These were Operation Atalanta, which is a naval counter-piracy mission off the Horn of Africa, and EU Training Mission Mali, which is training Malian Defence Forces.

I also attended the European Defence Agency (EDA) Steering Board meeting. The Chief Executive of the EDA briefed Ministers on the EDA's Work Programme for 2014. This programme identifies many projects and initiatives in areas such as, Communications and Information Systems; Cyber Defence; Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear detection; Counter Improvised Explosive Devices; Maritime Surveillance; Naval Training. The EDA agreed that they would cooperate closely with the European Commission on research and innovation, particularly in the area of dual use technological developments. It was also agreed that the EDA would cooperate with the European Commission in areas such as Maritime and Cyber security and energy efficiency.